Successful Sealant Retention

For sealant retention, the surface of the tooth must:

1. have a maximum surface area,

2. have deep, irregular pits & fissures for better retention,

3. be clean, and most crucial to retention,

4. be absolutely dry and uncontaminated with saliva residue at the time of the sealant placement.

All of these criteria must be present for a sealant to be retained. If within a few months the sealants are lost, it is most likely due to the faulty technique by the dental clinician.